It Is Bigger Than a Breadbox

Our school’s literacy coach came into my classroom in the beginning of the year to share a book she read and to “put it into the hands of students”.  This book has spread like a wildfire through my classroom.  The next student eagerly waiting for one to be done so they can read it next.  Jordan is currently reading it.  Jordan has a hard exterior with one of the biggest hearts I’ve encountered in a 5th grade boy.  He’s kind to other students, polite to adults, intelligent, and always willing to help out another classmate.  He goes through a rough patch from time to time but always comes out smiling in the end.

I was having a conference with Jordan about the book, which he’s recently begun reading.  His first words were I already know what she’s going to wish for.  The character and I are like almost the same.  To which I replied tell me what you mean by that.  Jordan went on to talk about how he picked up on the fighting between the mom and the dad and the girl in the story would just  hope one day her parents would get back together.  He told me how every night before he goes to bed he wishes his mom and dad would do the same.  He went on to talk about how, of course, she’ll probably wish for some material things she wants but her big wish will be her parents together again.  Ugh Jordan!  So many things you want to be able to say to him at that moment.  Things will work out.  It’s for the best. I know you don’t understand now, but one day you will.  But how do you get a young kid to understand these things?

It’s no secret that these students of ours go through some rough times.  Just being a kid is rough, but every once in awhile whatever a student may be dealing with gets brought to your attention.   Some things are bigger than others but to them that doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter to us either. It is a small reminder though that even though they’re young they too go through struggles and hard times.

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